Device, system, and method for limiting movement of a cargo container in a cargo area

ABSTRACT

An immobilizing device for limiting movement of a cargo container in a cargo area may include a tubular member configured to be inserted into an aperture of a cargo deck. The immobilizing device may further include a stop member extending at least partially across a hollow interior of the tubular member, wherein the stop member is configured such that extension of the tubular member into the aperture is limited by contact between the stop member and the portion of the cargo deck located in the aperture. The immobilizing device may also include an extension associated with the tubular member and configured to engage a lower edge of the cargo container, such that movement of the cargo container is limited upon receipt of the tubular member in the aperture and engagement between the extension and the lower edge of the cargo container.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a device, system, and method for limitingmovement of a cargo container, in particular, a device, system, andmethod for limiting movement of a cargo container in a cargo area.

BACKGROUND

Cargo containers may be used to transport packages and goods on a numberof different types of vehicles, such as, for example, planes, trucks,trains, ships, and barges. For example, cargo containers referred to as“unit load devices” or “ULDs,” may be used to transport packages andgoods aboard cargo aircraft. Such cargo containers may be efficientlyloaded and unloaded from a cargo aircraft. Prior to loading, or afterunloading, the cargo containers may be received in cargo areas havingrespective cargo decks. Some cargo decks have rollers supported by thecargo deck, with the rollers facilitating movement of the cargocontainers within the cargo area. In particular, the lower surface ofthe cargo container is supported by the rollers, which facilitatemovement of the containers across the cargo deck by cargo handlers, whosimply push the containers across the rollers.

In some cargo operations, the packages and goods are loaded or unloadedfrom the containers while the containers remain on the cargo deck.Because the rollers facilitate movement of the containers across thedeck, the containers may feel unstable while the cargo handlers load andunload the containers, or as the cargo handlers step into or out of thecontainers. This instability of the cargo containers may lead toinefficiencies in loading and unloading the containers, for example, asother handlers attempt to stabilize the cargo containers while a firsthandler loads or unloads the cargo from the container, or steps into orfrom the container.

Attempts have been made to provide devices to prevent unintendedmovement of the containers on the cargo deck. However, previous attemptsmay suffer from a number of drawbacks, such as, for example, aninability to sufficiently stabilize the containers, or relativelycomplex, expensive, or inefficient installations, such as the use oftie-downs, etc. The desire for rapid loading and unloading of containersresults in complex arrangements being impractical.

Thus, it may be desirable to provide a system and method for limitingthe movement of cargo containers in a cargo area during loading andunloading of the containers. Further, it may be desirable for suchsystems and methods to be relatively simple, quickly deployable, and/oreffective for stabilizing the cargo containers on the cargo deck.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to an immobilizing device forlimiting movement of a cargo container in a cargo area. The device mayinclude a tubular member configured to be inserted into an aperture of acargo deck. The tubular member may have a hollow interior configured toreceive a portion of the cargo deck located in the aperture. Theimmobilizing device may further include a stop member extending at leastpartially across the hollow interior of the tubular member, wherein thestop member is configured such that extension of the tubular member intothe aperture is limited by contact between the stop member and theportion of the cargo deck located in the aperture. The immobilizingdevice may also include an extension associated with the tubular memberand configured to engage a lower edge of the cargo container, such thatthe immobilizing device limits movement of the cargo container uponreceipt of the tubular member in the aperture and engagement between theextension and the lower edge of the cargo container.

Another aspect relates to a system for limiting movement of a cargocontainer in a cargo area. The system may include a cargo deckassociated with a cargo area and configured to facilitate movement of acargo container on the cargo deck. The cargo deck may include an upperplanar surface, and apertures in the upper planar surface, wherein theapertures define a recess in the cargo deck. The cargo deck may furtherinclude rollers supported in the recesses, such that a portion of therollers extends above the upper planar surface to support a cargocontainer. The rollers may be configured facilitate movement of thecargo containers across the cargo deck. The system may further includean immobilizing device configured to limit movement of the cargocontainer on the cargo deck. The immobilizing device may include atubular member configured to be inserted into one of the apertures ofthe upper planar surface. The tubular member may have a hollow interiorconfigured to receive at least a portion of one of the rollers, and astop member extending at least partially across the hollow interior ofthe tubular member. The stop member may be configured such thatextension of the tubular member into the aperture is limited by contactbetween the stop member and the roller located in the aperture. Theimmobilizing device may further include an extension associated with thetubular member and configured to engage a lower edge of the cargocontainer, such that the immobilizing device limits movement of thecargo container upon receipt of the tubular member in the aperture andengagement between the extension and the lower edge of the cargocontainer.

A further aspect relates to a method for selectively limiting movementof a cargo container on a cargo deck. The method may include insertingan immobilizing device into an aperture of the cargo deck locatedadjacent a cargo container. The immobilizing device may include atubular member configured to be inserted into an aperture of the cargodeck. The tubular member may have a hollow interior configured toreceive a portion of the cargo deck located in the aperture. Theimmobilizing device may further include an extension associated with thetubular member and configured to engage a lower edge of the cargocontainer, such that the device limits movement of the cargo containerupon receipt of the tubular member in the aperture and engagementbetween the extension and the lower edge of the cargo container.Inserting the immobilizing device into the aperture may includeinserting the tubular member into the aperture such that the extensionengages the lower edge of the cargo container.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of thedisclosed devices, systems, and methods and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed devices,systems, and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment of a cargo vehiclehaving an exemplary cargo area.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a cargovehicle having an exemplary cargo area.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an exemplary cargo area, through which anexemplary cargo container is being moved across an exemplary cargo deck.

FIG. 4 is a partial section view of a portion of an exemplary cargodeck.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of animmobilizing device for limiting movement of a cargo container in acargo area.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5being used in an exemplary manner to immobilize a cargo container on acargo deck.

FIG. 7 is a section view of a portion of an exemplary immobilizingdevice engaged with a portion of an exemplary cargo deck.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of animmobilizing device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of animmobilizing device.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cargo vehicle 10 having acargo area 12. In particular, the exemplary cargo vehicle shown is acargo aircraft, although other types of cargo vehicles are contemplated,such as, for example, trains, trucks, ships, and barges. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, cargo area 12 contains a number of cargo containers 16for facilitating loading, transporting, and unloading packages and goodsfrom cargo vehicle 10. Cargo containers 16 may include any known cargocontainer types, such as, for example, any known sizes andconfigurations of unit load devices or ULDs.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cargo deck 14 of an exemplarycargo area 12. Cargo area 12 may be located in any cargo handlingfacility, such as, for example, a cargo facility at an airport or cargovehicle terminal. Exemplary cargo deck 14 shown in FIG. 3 is configuredto facilitate movement of cargo containers 16 on cargo deck 14. Forexample, according to some embodiments, cargo containers 16 may bepushed across cargo deck 14, for example, by a cargo handler 18. Forexample, cargo deck 14 may include an upper surface 20, which may besubstantially planar. Cargo deck 14 may also include a plurality ofapertures 22 in upper surface 20, with apertures 22 defining recesses 24(see FIG. 4) in cargo deck 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, exemplary cargo deck 14 includes rollers 26configured to facilitate movement of cargo containers 16 across cargodeck 14. For example, exemplary rollers 26 are received and supported inrecesses 24, such that a portion 28 (i.e., an upper extent) of rollers26 protrudes above upper surface 20 of cargo deck 14. As shown in FIG.4, rollers 26 may be supported by a swivel assembly 30 configured tofacilitate rotation of rollers 26 about a substantially vertical axis Vand about a substantially horizontal axis H. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 4, rollers 26 are supported by a frame 32 supported by abearing assembly 34 configured to permit frame 32 to rotate aboutvertical axis V. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, rollers 26are in the form of wheels. Other types of rollers are contemplated, suchas, for example, balls.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, exemplary rollers 26 support cargocontainers 16. Because rollers 26 are able to rotate about both verticalaxis V and horizontal axis H, one or more cargo handlers 18 are able topush cargo containers 16 across cargo deck 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, at least some of cargo containers 16 may include adoor 36 for permitting access to the interior of cargo container 16. Forexample, when loading and unloading cargo container 16, door 36 may beopened and handler 18 may enter the interior of cargo container 16 toload and unload cargo container 16.

For example, packages and goods may be loaded or unloaded from cargocontainers 16 while cargo containers 16 remain on cargo deck 14. Becauserollers 26 of cargo deck 14 facilitate movement of cargo containers 16across cargo deck 14 cargo containers 16 may feel unstable to handlers18 in the interior of cargo containers 16 while loading and unloadingcargo containers, or as handlers 18 step into or out of cargo containers16. For example, cargo containers 16 may rock or move across cargo deck14 in an unintended manner. This instability of cargo containers 16 maylead to inefficiencies in loading and unloading, for example, as one ormore other handlers 18 attempt to stabilize cargo containers 16, while afirst handler 18 loads or unloads the packages and goods from cargocontainer 16, or steps into or from cargo container 16.

As shown in FIG. 5, a system 38 may be provided for limiting movement ofcargo containers 16 in a cargo area 12. As shown, system 38 may includea cargo deck 14, for example, as described previously herein. System 38may further include an immobilizing device 40 configured to limitmovement of cargo container 16 on cargo deck 14 of cargo area 12, suchas the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Immobilizing device40 may be formed from any suitable materials having sufficient strength,such as, for example, steel, aluminum, cast iron, titanium,high-strength plastic, and/or carbon fiber or similar materials.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, immobilizing device 40 mayinclude a tubular member 42 configured to be inserted into aperture 22of cargo deck 14. Tubular member 42 may have a hollow interior 44configured to receive portion 28 of cargo deck 14 located in aperture22. Apertures 22 have a cross-sectional shape, and tubular member 42 mayhave a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to longitudinal axis Xconfigured to fit within the cross-sectional shape of apertures 22. Forexample, the cross-sectional shapes of apertures 22 and tubular member42 may be one of substantially circular, substantially oval-shaped, andsubstantially polygonal.

Immobilizing device 40 may further include a stop member 46 extending atleast partially across hollow interior 44 of tubular member 42. Stopmember 46 may be configured such that extension of tubular member 42into aperture 22 is limited by contact between stop member 46 andportion 28 of cargo deck 14. According to some embodiments, immobilizingdevice 40 may further include an extension 48 associated with tubularmember 42 and configured to engage a lower edge 50 of cargo container16, such that immobilizing device 40 limits movement of cargo container16 upon receipt of tubular member 42 in aperture 22 and engagementbetween extension 48 and lower edge 50 of cargo container 16, forexample, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.

As shown in FIG. 6, exemplary tubular member 42 of immobilizing device40 has a longitudinal axis X, and exemplary extension 48 is coupled totubular member 42, such that extension 48 extends substantiallyperpendicular to longitudinal axis X. According to some embodiments,extension 48 may extend transverse to tubular member 42 without beingsubstantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis X.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, extension 48 includes afirst end 52 coupled to tubular member 42 and a second end 54 remotefrom tubular member 42. Second end 54 of extension 48 is configured toengage lower edge 50 of cargo container 16 (see FIG. 5). For example,lower edge 50 may include a flange 56, and second end 54 of extension 48may include a substantially planar surface 58 configured to engageflange 56 to thereby limit movement of cargo container 16 on cargo deck14.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, extension 48 is a firstextension extending in a first direction relative to tubular member 42(e.g., in a first direction substantially perpendicular to longitudinalaxis X). As shown, exemplary immobilizing device 40 includes a secondextension 60 coupled to tubular member 42 and extending in a seconddirection different than the first direction relative to tubular member42. For example, the first direction is substantially opposite thesecond direction as shown in FIG. 6. It is contemplated that the firstdirection and the second direction may not necessarily be opposite oneanother.

As shown in FIG. 6, first extension 48 has a length L from first end 52to second end 54, and second extension 60 has a length LL extending froma corresponding first end 62 to a second end 64 of second extension 60.In addition, first extension 48 may be coupled to tubular member 42 at adistance D from the lower edge 66 of tubular member 42 that is greaterthan a distance DD from lower edge 66 at which second extension 60 iscoupled to tubular member 42, for example, as shown in FIG. 6.

The differences in lengths of the extensions and/or the differences indistances from lower edge 66 at which the extensions are mounted mayprovide the ability to use immobilizing device in various orientationsand with cargo containers of different configurations. In addition, theexemplary embodiment of immobilizing device 40 shown in FIG. 6 may beplaced between two adjacent cargo containers 16, such that firstextension 48 engages a lower edge 50 of a first one of the two cargocontainers 16, and second extension 60 engages a lower edge 50 of asecond one of the two cargo containers 16, thereby helping to limitmovement of two adjacent cargo containers.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, tubular member 42 isa first tubular member and extension 48 is a first extension. Thisexemplary embodiment of immobilizing device 40 further includes a secondtubular member 68 configured to be inserted into a second aperture 70 ofcargo deck 14 (FIG. 5). Second tubular member 68 includes a hollowinterior 72 configured to receive a second portion 28 of cargo deck 14located in second aperture 70. Second tubular member 68 has across-sectional shape,and the cross-sectional shape may be one ofsubstantially circular, substantially oval-shaped, and substantiallypolygonal.

Exemplary immobilizing device 40 further includes a coupling member 74configured to couple first tubular member 42 to second tubular member68. According to some embodiments, coupling member 74 is a fixed length.According some embodiments, coupling member 74 may have an adjustablelength, so immobilizing device 40 may be used on cargo decks havingapertures spaced apart by different distances.

Immobilizing device 40 may also include a third extension 76 coupled tosecond tubular member 68 and configured to engage lower edge 50 of cargocontainer 16. For example, third extension 76 extends in a thirddirection substantially the same as the first direction in which firstextension 48 extends. It is contemplated that the first direction andthe third direction may not necessarily be the same direction.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, exemplary immobilizing device 40 furtherincludes a second stop member 78 extending at least partially acrosshollow interior 72 of second tubular member 68. Second stop member 78 isconfigured such that extension of second tubular member 68 into secondaperture 70 is limited by contact between second stop member 78 andportion 28 of cargo deck 14 located in second aperture 70, similar tothe manner in which first stop member 46 of first tubular member 42extends into first aperture 22.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 also includes a fourthextension 80 coupled to second tubular member 68, with fourth extension80 extending in a fourth direction different than the third direction inwhich third extension 76 extends relative to second tubular member 68.For example, the fourth direction may be substantially opposite thethird direction as shown, although the fourth direction may notnecessarily be opposite the third direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, third extension 76 has a length L from a first end82 to a second end 84, and fourth extension 80 has a length LL extendingfrom a corresponding first end 86 to a second end 88 of fourth extension60. In addition, third extension 76 may be coupled to second tubularmember 68 at a distance D from lower edge 66 of second tubular member 68that is greater than a distance DD from lower edge 66 at which fourthextension 80 is coupled to second tubular member 68. Although theexemplary combination of second tubular member 68, third extension 76,and fourth extension 80 are shown as a mirror-image of the exemplarycombination of first tubular member 42, first extension 48, and secondextension 60, other configurations are contemplated such that they arenot necessarily mirror-images of one another.

The provision of the combination of second tubular member 70, thirdextension 76, and fourth extension 80 to the combination of firsttubular member 42, first extension 48, and second extension 60, mayimprove the effectiveness of the immobilizing device 40 in limitingmovement of cargo containers 16. For example, such an embodiment mayresult in a more secure engagement between cargo deck 14 andimmobilizing device 40. In addition, such an embodiment may result in amore secure engagement between first extension 48 and third extension 76and a lower edge of a first cargo container, and/or between secondextension 60 and fourth extension 80 and a lower edge of a second cargocontainer.

The exemplary embodiment of immobilizing device 40 shown in FIG. 8includes extensions formed by a cross-member 90 coupled at one end oftubular member 42. In the exemplary embodiment shown, cross-member 90includes a first extension 92, a second extension 94, and a stop member96 between first extension 92 and second extension 94, wherein stopmember 96 forms a portion of cross-member 90. For example, firstextension 92 extends in a first direction, second extension 94 extendsin a second direction, and stop member 96 is between first extension 92and second extension 94. In the embodiment shown, the first and seconddirections are substantially opposite one another, but the first andsecond directions may have other orientations relative to one another.In the exemplary embodiment shown, cross-member 90 is an invertedT-section. Cross-members having other cross-sectional shapes arecontemplated. Tubular member 42 has a cross-sectional shapeperpendicular to longitudinal axis X, and the cross-sectional shape maybe one of substantially circular, substantially oval-shaped, andsubstantially polygonal.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, tubular member 42 isconfigured to be inserted into aperture 22 of cargo deck 14, and firstand/or second extensions 92 and 94 are configured to engage lower edgesof respective, adjacent cargo containers 16. For example, exemplaryimmobilizing device 40 shown in FIG. 8 may be placed between rows ofadjacent cargo containers 16, with extensions 92 and 94 engaging thelower edges of two adjacent cargo containers 16.

In the exemplary embodiment of immobilizing device 40 shown in FIG. 9,tubular member 42 has a first recess 98 at least partially defining afirst extension 100. Exemplary tubular member 42 also has a secondrecess 102 defining a second extension 104, although it is contemplatedthat tubular member 42 may include only a single recess defining asingle extension. As shown, first extension 100 and second extension 104extend in opposite directions, although it is contemplated that firstand second extensions 100 and 104 may extend in other orientationsrelative to one another. Tubular member 42 has a cross-sectional shapeperpendicular to longitudinal axis X, and the cross-sectional shape maybe one of substantially circular, substantially oval-shaped, andsubstantially polygonal.

According to some embodiments, immobilizing device 40 shown in FIG. 9includes a stop member 106, for example, similar to stop members 46 and78 shown in FIG. 6. In addition to limiting insertion of tubular member42 into apertures 22, stop member 106 may provide structural supportand/or facilitate handling of immobilizing device 40 by handlers 18.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, tubular member 42 isconfigured to be inserted into an aperture 22 of cargo deck 14, andfirst and/or second extensions 100 and 104 are configured to engage alower edge of a cargo container. For example, exemplary immobilizingdevice 40 shown in FIG. 9 may be placed between rows of adjacent cargocontainers 16, with extensions 100 and 104 engaging the lower edges oftwo adjacent cargo containers 16.

A method for selectively limiting movement of a cargo container on acargo deck may, according to some embodiments, include inserting animmobilizing device into one or more apertures of the cargo deck locatedadjacent a cargo container, such that one or more tubular members of theimmobilizing device fit into one or more apertures of the cargo deck.The immobilizing device may include any configurations described herein,and insertion of the one or more tubular members may be performed, suchthat one or more extensions engage a lower edge of the cargo container.According to some embodiments, the method may further include insertinga second immobilizing device into one or more second apertures adjacentthe cargo container, such that one or more of the tubular members of thesecond immobilizing device fit into the one or more apertures, and theone or more extensions of the second immobilizing device engage thelower edge of the cargo container.

According to some embodiments, the immobilizing device may include oneor more first extensions and one or more second extensions, and themethod may include inserting the immobilizing device into one or moreapertures in the cargo deck, so that the one or more first extensionsengage the lower edge of a first cargo container, and the one or moresecond extensions engage the lower edge of a second cargo container.This may facilitate limiting movement of two adjacent cargo containers,for example, in a row of adjacent cargo containers.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A system for limiting movement of a cargo containerin a cargo area, the system comprising: a cargo deck associated with acargo area and configured to facilitate movement of a cargo container onthe cargo deck, the cargo deck comprising: an upper planar surface;apertures in the upper planar surface, the apertures defining a recessin the cargo deck; and rollers supported in the recesses such that aportion of the rollers extends above the upper planar surface to supporta cargo container, wherein the rollers are configured facilitatemovement of the cargo containers across the cargo deck; and animmobilizing device configured to limit movement of the cargo containeron the cargo deck, the immobilizing device comprising: a tubular memberconfigured to be inserted into one of the apertures of the upper planarsurface, the tubular member having a hollow interior configured toreceive at least a portion of one of the rollers; a stop memberextending at least partially across the hollow interior of the tubularmember, wherein the stop member is configured such that extension of thetubular member into the aperture is limited by contact between the stopmember and the roller located in the aperture; and an extensionassociated with the tubular member and configured to engage a lower edgeof the cargo container, such that the immobilizing device limitsmovement of the cargo container upon receipt of the tubular member inthe aperture and engagement between the extension and the lower edge ofthe cargo container.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the rollerscomprise at least one of wheels and balls.
 22. The system of claim 20,wherein the rollers are supported such that the rollers swivel about asubstantially vertical axis.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein theapertures have a cross-sectional shape, and the tubular member has across-sectional shape, and wherein the cross-sectional shape of thetubular member fits within the cross-sectional shape of the apertures.24. The system of claim 23, wherein cross-sectional shape of theapertures is one of substantially circular, substantially oval-shaped,and substantially polygonal-shaped.
 25. The system of claim 20, whereinthe tubular member has a longitudinal axis, and the extension isassociated with the tubular member such that it extends substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.
 26. Thesystem of claim 25, wherein the extension has a first end coupled to thetubular member and a second end remote from the tubular member, whereinthe second end is configured to engage the lower edge of the cargocontainer.
 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the second end includes asubstantially planar surface configured to engage a flange of the loweredge of the cargo container.
 28. The system of claim 26, wherein theextension is a first extension extending in a first direction relativeto the tubular member, and wherein the immobilizing device furthercomprises a second extension coupled to the tubular member, the secondextension extending in a second direction different than the firstdirection relative to the tubular member.
 29. The system of claim 26,wherein the tubular ember is a first tubular member and the extension isa first extension, wherein immobilizing the device further comprises: asecond tubular member configured to be inserted into a second apertureof the cargo deck, the second tubular member having a hollow interiorconfigured to receive a roller located in the second aperture; acoupling member configured to couple the first tubular member to thesecond tubular member; and a second extension associated with the secondtubular member and configured to engage the lower edge of the cargocontainer.
 30. The system of claim 29, further comprising a second stopmember extending at least partially across the hollow interior of thesecond tubular member, wherein the second stop member is configured suchthat extension of the second tubular member into the second aperture islimited by contact between the second stop member and the roller locatedin the second aperture.
 31. The system of claim 29, wherein at least oneof the first extension and the second extension extends in a firstdirection relative to the tubular member, and wherein the device furthercomprises a third extension coupled to the first tubular member, thethird extension extending in a second direction different than the firstdirection relative to the first tubular member.
 32. The system of claim31, further comprising a fourth extension coupled to the second tubularmember, the fourth extension extending in a second direction differentthan the first direction relative to the second tubular member.
 33. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the extension comprises a cross-membercoupled at one end of the tubular member, and the stop member is aportion of the cross-member.
 34. The system of claim 33, wherein theextension comprises a first extension extending in a first direction anda second extension extending in a second direction, and the stop memberis between the first extension and the second extension.
 35. The systemof claim 34, wherein the first direction and second direction areopposite one another.
 36. The system of claim 20, wherein the tubularmember has a recess, and wherein the recess at least partially definesthe extension.
 37. The system of claim 36, wherein recess is a firstrecess and the tubular member has a second recess defining a secondextension.
 38. A method for selectively limiting movement of a cargocontainer on a cargo deck, the method comprising: inserting animmobilizing device into an aperture of the cargo deck located adjacenta cargo container, wherein the immobilizing device comprises: a tubularmember configured to be inserted into an aperture of the cargo deck, thetubular member having a hollow interior configured to receive a portionof the cargo deck located in the aperture; and an extension associatedwith the tubular member and configured to engage a lower edge of thecargo container, such that the device limits movement of the cargocontainer upon receipt of the tubular member in the aperture andengagement between the extension and the lower edge of the cargocontainer, wherein inserting the immobilizing device into the aperturecomprises inserting the tubular member into the aperture such that theextension engages the lower edge of the cargo container.
 39. The methodof claim 38, wherein the immobilizing device is a first immobilizingdevice, and wherein the method further comprises inserting a secondimmobilizing device into a second aperture of the cargo deck locatedadjacent the cargo container, such that a second extension of the secondimmobilizing device engages the lower edge of the cargo container. 40.The method of claim 38, wherein the cargo container is a first cargocontainer, wherein the extension of the immobilizing device is a firstextension, wherein the immobilizing device further comprises a secondextension, and wherein inserting the immobilizing device into theaperture comprises inserting the tubular member into the aperture suchthat the first extension engages the lower edge of the first cargocontainer, and the second extension engages the lower edge of a secondcargo container adjacent the first cargo container.